Nothing Special
Just an ordinary zoo
Artis Zoo Amsterdam is not only the only zoo in Amsterdam, it is also the oldest zoo of the Netherlands. Dutch people also call it the Artis Royal Zoo. The Amsterdam Zoo offers a welcome break away from the busy city center full of other Amsterdam Attractions. The setting of the Artis Zoo is rather intimate as it’s fairly small and compact. The Artis Zoo was founded in 1838 and is built close to the city center, so there hasn’t been a lot of space for expansion. Artis Zoo is a great place for a romantic date or for some family fun. The Amsterdam Zoo is home to over 750 different species of animals and over 300 species of trees and plants. You can spot these animals in the monumental 19th-century buildings in the park. The gardens of Artis Zoo are especially pretty in summer and spring when the trees are decorated with blossoms.
Things to do in Artis Royal Zoo
In Artis Zoo, you’ll discover enough things to see and do to keep you occupied for an hour or four. It is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids. Artis features a walk through an African Savannah, butterfly gardens, birdhouses, an aquarium, wolf forest, and an Insectarium. On your day in the Amsterdam Zoo, you’ll get to see elephants, monkeys, snakes, otters, giraffes, sea lions and several birds. Not enough of spending time in the zoo? Check out Blijdorp Rotterdam Zoo, which is only an trainride away.
Micropia in Artis Zoo
In 2014, the Micropia museum connected to Artis opened its doors. This is the world first museum that shows life on a microscopical level. It teaches its visitors the useful work microorganisms do for the environment. Tickets for the Micropia museum can be bought for an extra charge.
Groote museum in Artis Zoo
This is the museum where we ask groote, which means big in Dutch, questions. Why do we exist? Why are you different than a flower or a monkey? And are we even that different? Visitors say you leave ‘Het Groote Museum’ with a different view at life and the world. After being closed for more than 75 years, this part of the Amsterdam zoo opened its doors again in may 2022. So buy your tickets, collect your biggest questions and visit Het Groote Museum in Artis Zoo.
For a brief sneak preview of the Amsterdam zoo, watch the video below.
